Walgreens Expands Vaccination Availability Across More Than 200 Locations Statewide as New Indiana State Law Takes Effect

Walgreens Expands Vaccination Availability Across More Than 200 Locations
Statewide as New Indiana State Law Takes Effect
Vaccines to help protect against meningitis, pneumonia, whooping cough and
other diseases now available daily with no appointment necessary
Business Wire
DEERFIELD, Ill. -- July 1, 2013
As new state legislation takes effect today to help bring greater patient
access to vaccines, Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG) has significantly
expanded vaccine availability at all of its 204 locations across Indiana.
Pharmacists are currently authorized to provide all adolescent and adult
immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) with a prescription. Now, five of those vaccines are available without a
prescription at Walgreens pharmacies daily, with no appointment necessary. The
bill was signed by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence in late April.
With vaccine available at all Walgreens pharmacies in Indiana, patients age 11
and older do not require a prescription for Influenza, Tetanus, diphtheria,
pertussis (Tdap), Human papillomavirus (HPV), or Meningococcal vaccines. In
addition, patients age 65 and older will no longer need a prescription for
Pneumococcal vaccine. Flu shots will also be available beginning in August.
“As some of the most trusted health care professionals in communities across
Indiana, this is an excellent opportunity for our pharmacists to help educate
residents about the importance of adult vaccinations and to improve
immunization rates through greater access,” said Chris Creamer, Walgreens
market pharmacy director. “We’ve demonstrated through flu seasons and other
health initiatives the important role Walgreens is playing in health care
today, providing high quality, affordable care to help more people get, stay
and live well.”
Many immunizations may be covered by insurance plans as well as Medicare Part
B. Patients are encouraged to check with their insurance provider for specific
coverage details. To find the nearest Walgreens near you, patients can call
1-800-WALGREENS or visit the Walgreens store locator online at
www.walgreens.com/findastore.
About Walgreens
As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2012 sales of $72 billion,
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to become America’s first choice for
health and daily living. Each day, Walgreens provides more than 6 million
customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and
services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services
and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services
includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along
with respiratory services. These services help improve health outcomes and
lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health
systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates
8,096 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and
most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and
in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the
country.
Contact:
Walgreens
Vivika Panagiotakakos, (847) 315-2923
http://news.walgreens.com
@WalgreensNews
facebook.com/Walgreens